Blood Imagery In Macbeth

s Macbeth said “they say, blood will have blood” (3.4.121). Symbolism is used in many literary texts as it is a tool that allows the author to create a certain mood or emotion in a work of literature. It helps the readers to understand the literary work and meanings behind it. William Shakespeare is a playwright who has used symbolism in his literary works to engage his audience. One example would be his play Macbeth, in which he used blood imagery to symbolise different emotions or feelings to enhance as well as illustrate the atmosphere and the characters. Between the different film versions of Macbeth, both directors Mark Brozel and Roman Polanski also included strong blood imagery to their films to help symbolize both Lady Macbeth and

In Shakespeare’s original text, blood imagery is used throughout many scenes to set the mood of guilt and give a sense of fear to the setting. This allows the audience to acknowledge and see into the character’s viewpoint as well as personality. An example of blood imagery is apparent during Macbeth’s soliloquy about his plan to murder King Duncan. He sees a dagger floating in the air and wonders if his mind deceiving him as the dagger becomes covered in blood. His obsession with thoughts of murder causes his hallucination, to which Macbeth says "I see thee still, and on thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood, which was not so before" (2.1.46). This anticipates and foreshadows the murder he is about to commit as the audience is given these graphic illustrations of blood, thus eluding to the deceitful murder of Duncan. This vision expressed is a symbol of guilt he will feel after committing the murder also sets a tone of horror that carries on through the scene. Therefore, by including strong blood imagery into the play, the audience is given the ability to see Macbeth’s feelings towards the crime he is about to commit through the literary device of